The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-04-01
How To Raise Potatoes.

Ed. Register: 1 have been a reader
Of the REGISTER for ten years, and
must say that think it has improved
very much under its present manage
ment, and is in every respect frs
class county paper, and 1 think that
your liberal offer ought to be, and
believe, is appreciated.
| contribute my mite to our column
by endeavOring to answer Mr.. G. Nor.
toms questions.
| think that by the number of farm
eres tables that are not burdened with
dish Of potatoes for months:.at time,
that this is not considered by them tn
be good potato country. We will
cOncede that it is not so well adapted
to large yields Of potatoes with as little
trouble as in the Northern and Eastern
States. But think that there is no
reason why every farmer should not
raise enough every year to furnish
hi 9 tables and having some to sell
besides.
l consider that the earliest varieties
are the best and surest for this late
climate as they mature before the hot
test weather and the usual dry spells
set in. They are as good as any for
summer and fall use. In the absence
o: late potatoes, may if properly hand.
led be kept in good condition for win.
ter and spring Use. I don't conside.
that there Is much choice between three
Of ::the leading early varieties as the
Early Ohio, Early Rose or Early Yer
mont. 1 think that it will well pay
every farmer to procure northern pO-
tatOes for seed at least every two years
even il he has plenty of seed OF his
own, as they come earlier and make a
stronger growth of vines and better
yield Of potatoes. 1 consider such
varieties as the Chicago market, White
Elephant. Mammoth Pearl and all 9TH
ers that ripen about August are not
suitable to our climate.
would rather plant large potatoes
than small ones if I were going to Sc
lect either. but would as soon plant
them all together just as they were
raised. cut one eye to piece except
the end where they are the thickest,
leave two GA peice think that one
eye is better than two if you can leave
enough of the potato with it to feed the
sprOut until it gets well rooted. IfyOu
will take notice you will find that
where you have one vine or stalk in
q hill, you will dig large potatoes and
when you have two or three vines or
stalks in 4 hill you will dig small ones.
There are a great many ways Of plant
ing; but think that as good as any
and perhaps the best is to pillow the |
ground drst; / would rather have the |
ground plOwed in the fall and then in |
the spring when ready to plant mark |
the ground with . stirring pIOw as
deep a. you want to plant the potatoes
and drop the potatoes in the furrow |
one in place fifteen inches apart then |
throw very small fork Of stable ma
nure on each potato or in the furrow
and cover with a hoe or pillow. This
Is some trouble, but it is the surest |
wav to get good yield. have never
failed to raise a good crop when planted
this way. The manure is not so much
to fertilize as to keep the ground loose
20 that the tubers can expand, which
they cannot do if the ground is as hard
as it generally is after rain and then
gets dry. Harrow the ground thorough
" just before the potatoes come up,
cultivate once week until the sets
are as large as quails eggs. Care should
be taken nOt..get the::mulching too thick
IN the potatoes else they will be slow
about coming up, there is however, one
little objection to mulching in the hill,
the potatoes are more apt to be spotted
,r worm eaten, intend to try sprink-
ing little salt on the manure in the
hill and some with air Stacked lime and
ashes this spring and will wait for the
results.
1 think yonr failure to raise full
crop of milIet is owing to not plankiug
,r rolling the ground after planting. l
,nce made partial failure on account
If the same neglect, the seed is very
small and the young plants when they
irst make their appearance are very
small and easily smothered and
mail clod the size of q hens egg if dis
solved by hasty shower would be
arge enough to smother all the seeds
withing two or three inches Of it, and
.hus where the clOds are as thick as
hey generally are the stand of millet
would be nearly ruined. Deep harrow
racks may do as much damage as
.lods if they are not washed down by
he rain before the millet Is up. The
ATTEST way is to plank or roll the
,round before the millet comes up.
J. w. EDWARDS.